The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-10-06
THE FAMILY DOCTOR.
The Treatment of Biliousness With Which
Many are Afflicted.

The symptoms of bi!iousness are un-
happily but too well known. They
differ in different individuals.however. A
bilious man is seldom a breakfast eater.
Too frequently alas he has an excellent
appetite for liquids, but none for solids
of amozning. His tongue will hardly
bear inspection at any time; it is not
white and furrid, it is rough at allevents.
The digestive system is wholly out of
order; diarrhaea or constipated may be
symptom, or the two may alternate.
There are very often hemerrhoids, or loss
Of blood even. There may be giddiness,
and often headache, and acidity or flatu,
lence, and tenderness at the pit Of the
stomach. The pain felt in the right
shoulder would indicate an extra bad
case, but apart from this, there are aching
pains and even Stiffness in the limbs,
with more or less of cramps in the limb
muscles, or burning in the palms of the
hands, with hot perspiring feet. There
may be drowsiness and torpor by day,
and sleeplessness by night, and all sorts
and conditions Of mind, especially irrita-
bility, fits Of bad temper that come on
suddenly and go off again, and that none
are so thoroughly grieved at as the poor
patient himself.
Bilious people generally fly for relief
to aperient pills, and there is no doubt
that they often afford temporary relief
by relieving the over-gorged liver. This
really is antiphlogistic treatment, but it
assuredly is not radical. When a fish
pond overAows its banks we may let off
a portion of the water, but after this ne
ought, methinks, to find our way to the
other end of the pool and lessen the in
flow.
Well, Just word about treatment.
First and foremost, then in sudden bill.
ious attacks, that are often accompanied
by a great prostration, and by urgent
vomiting, il is best to send for medical
man. Such attacks generally come on in
the morning, at the time the body is most
weak. I do not think upon the whole I
should bejustined in suggesting medicine
remedies in this paper, for the simple
reason that cases differ so. The mineral
acids and bitter vegetable tonics often do
good. So do nux vomiea and aconite.
Then there is dandelion, chloride of am.
moniun., and alkalies. But I can only
generalize. A blue pill and colocynth,
followed next day by glass of Fullma
water, will ward of many an attack, if
the patient goes in for preventive meas
ures afterward, and follows course of
rational living. The podophyllin pill,
from quarter to half grain of the ex-
tract, in three to FIVE of extract of hyo-
seymus, may do as we'll as the blue pill,
if not better. Soda water or lithia water
and milk should be drank next day, and
very little solid food taken, though beef
tea mixed with arrowroot will be found
very nourishing; or raw egg beaten up
in a milk.
Little good will accrue from treating
case like this, however, if, when he is
once more we'll, the patient returns to his
old non.hygienic habits Of life.
"What am I to do, then ?" may be
asked. will tell you what you are not
to do. You are not to over-eat, you are
not to use sugar or fat to any extent,
puddings, pastry or cheese. You are not
t. touch alcohol. You are not to sit in
oyer.heated rooms. You are neither to
overwork nor over-worry yourself, and
you are not to shirk the morning tub, nor
plenty of exercise.
What are you to do for the acidity.
Abstemiousness and regulation Of diet and
habits will entirely Danish it, and you
will have the pleasure of knowing that
its absence is sign of rejuvenation of the
liver. If you but try week of the treat.
ment suggest, I feel convinced you will
once more feel a pleasure in life, and an
interest in all your surroundings.